Method of and apparatus for absorption of gases in liquids



s. MORSE 2,150,452

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ABSORPTION OF GASES IN LIQUIDS March 14, 1939.

Filed May 18, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l /OPL INVENTOR Sterne Morse ATTORNEYS s. MORSE 2,150,452

METHOD vOF AND APPARATUS FOR ABSORPTION OF GASES IN LlQUIDS March 14, 1939.

Filed May'18, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY Sterne Morse ATTORNEYS Patented Mar". w14, 139

UNITED STATE-s PATENT oFFica METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS -FOR ABSORI-4 TION 0F GASES IN LQUIDS Sterne Morse, Richmondv Heights, Ohio Application May 18, 1936, Serial No. 80,247

e claims. (orgel- 11) 'Ihis invention is a continuation in part ofmy invention concerned with systems of heat distribution, Serial No. 693,211, now Pat. No. 2,040,869.

In that application there is described a method of heat distribution'comprising the generation of ammonia vapor'under moderate pressure from a watery solution of ammonia, vits distribution to the points to which it is desired to distribute heat energy, together with the resulting weaker solu-` tion of ammonia, its absorption in that solution and thereturnof the resulting-strong solution to the central station where the process'isrepeated. The method of absorption of a gas in a solvent for thatv gas, outlined in that application is the subject of the present one.

In the process of absorption of a gas in a liquid in which it is soluble, it is practically universally true that the lower the temperature is at which f absorption is carried out, the larger is the amount of the gas which can be absorbed for a given pressure. A second practically universal rule is that o the gas in-the process of solution gives out a considerable amount of sensible heat, in' the -case of ammonia amounting to its latent heat of vaporization, plus a variable amount of heat depending on the concentration of ammonia inthe solution which is absorbing it. A corollary to these facts is the fact that solution ofthe gas' will occur and heat 4will be given out bythe solution ofit vat any. temperature up tothe equilibrium temper.-v 'v ature for the pressure and concentration of the gas in the absorbing solution, As the concentration of the gas in the liquid increases, this equilibrium temperature decreases.' It .follows that if we wish to obtain-,heat energy fromthe absorption at the highest possible temperature, it is necessary to cause the gas to be absorbed into as weak a solution as possible, while if we desire as strong a solution as possible it is necessary to cause the gas to be absorbed at as low atemperature as possible. Whether our problem, asis the case in the before mentioned application, is primarily a problem in heat engineering, or whether the problem is primarily a chemical one, as is the casein the processing of natural gas to remove the heavier constituents, economy in materials will in general require the combination of both desiderata.

This combination can be obtained, owing to the fact that the heating of a liquid is a nonisothermal procedure. If accordingly, we conduct our absorption in many stages, the temperature falling to lower levels from stage to stag, the concentration of gas inthe solution rising from stage to stage, heat Will be evolvedat a constantly risy ing temperature as we proceed Irom the last stage to the 'iirst. If now water or other cooling liquid e is brought successively in thermal contact with v the various stages, from last to first, it may be 5 heated to a temperature very near the temper.- ature at which the incoming-weak solution is in equilibrium with the gasl at the working pressure. Conversely a solution of the gas may'be obtained very near to the concentration which would be in lo equilibrium with the gas at the temperature of the incoming cooling medium.

It is immaterial to the broad purposes of this invention whether these stages are'deflnitive or indenite. Apparatus will-later be described for-15 either condition and for a combination of them. Its purposes are met if (l) the absorbing liquid is raised before any absorption is permitted to occurto the highest temperature reigning in the pparatus; (2) the heat vevolved in the process 20 of absorption is removed nonisothermally in such` a way as to make the irreversibilities as small as possible, As the concentration. of the absorbed gas in the absorbing liquid increases, its equilibrium temperature, that is the temperature at which 25 evaporation of the gas from or absorption of the view. vSuch a condition would however afford no potential which would cause the process to go in 35 any definite direction, towards absorption or evaporation. In practice it is therefore necessary that the absorbing liquid be maintained at a suflicient temperature interval below the equilibri'um temperature to cause absorption of the 40 gas to occur at the desired rate, this rate increasing with the interval. Since the equilibrium temperature decreases with increase of concentration of the gas in the liquid, maintenance of a set temperature interval between the equilibrium tem- 45 perature and the actual temperature of the liquid means decreasing the latter with increase of con-` centration of the gas in the liquid in what might be called a parallel course with that of the equilibrium temperature, but always below it. In 50 practice, the maintenance of a set temperature interval between theequilibrium temperature and the actual temperature of thefabsorbing solution can be in general only approximately carried out.

VFor example in the case of the solution of ammonia in water at 90 lbs./sq. in., if the same solution iscarriedfrom one end of the absorber to the other, increasing in amount by the gas absorbed only, the amount of heat evolved for a given fall in the equilibrium temperature is roughly three times as great at molar concentration of the solution as it is `at 15%. This may be adjusted for by increasing the amount of cooling liquid flowing through the apparatus at such points of high heat e lolution or a larger temperature difference between absorbing liquid and cooling liquid may be allowed in the interval where the production of heat is small for a given temperature change, the choice depending on the particular problem. Or more absorbing liquid may -be used at the lower concentration, the amount of cooling liquid remaining the same at all stages.

Referring now to the figures, Figure 1 shows an absorber of the filled type substantially as shown in the above cited application.

Figure 2 shows an absorber of the sectional type, partly broken away to show the construction in vertical central section.

Figure 3 shows in Vertical central section and on a larger scale than in Fig. 2, the top, bottom, and one intermediate sections of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section, taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, of the same apparatus.

Figure 5 shows in central vertical section, an apparatus neither purely sectional in operation nor of the lled type but partaking of the characteristics of each type of construction.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5 of the same apparatus shown in that igure.v

Referring now to Figs. 2 4, the apparatus shown is in general similar to the familiar fractionating distilling column, with the 'addition of means for bringing the incoming weak solution to the temperature of the hottest part of the co1- umn, which in contrast to the distilling column is the top, rather than the bottom, and in the addition of means for cooling the various sections of the column with an ascending path for cooling water. The design is adapted to stamped elements and welded construction, all the joints enclosing the reacting gas and solution being of that character.

A circular base plate I, upwardly concave, is centrally bored for the passage of a vapor pipe 2 passing through it vertically and projecting a short distance above its upper surface. The joint between them is rendered tightA in any desired way as by welding. At suitable distances from its centre the plate I is bored for the passage through it of weak and strong liquor pipes 3 and 4, these pipes being shown as welded in place though they may be made tight in any other desired manner. They also project above the upper surface of plate I, but pipe 4 does not project as high as vapor pipe 2. A dish like member 5 rests on plate I, resting on radial ribs, not shown. The member 5 is also centrally bored for the .passage'of vapor pipe 2 and is welded to the latter which ends a short distance above its bottom surface. Weak liquor pipe 3 and strong liquor pipe 4 also pass in similar fashion through the bottom of member 5 and aresimilarly welded thereto, the pipe 4 ending a short vertical distance belowthe upper `edge of pipe 2. Pipe 3 ends at any convenient pointin a coupling 6, by which it is joined with a horizontal coil 'I, lying above the bottom of member 5.

A cover 8 to member 5 is provided 0f. similar dish like form but inverted, and is placed edge to edge over member 5, the two edges being welded together at the weld 9. As was the case with member 5, the-cover 8 is centrally bored for connection to a vapor pipe I0, which is welded thereto. Cover 8 is also bored for the passage through it of two other pipes, a strong liquor pipe II and a, weak liquor pipe I9 (Fig. 2) similar in position, form and function to weak liquor pipe I9m in a higher section. These pipes are positioned radially at points corresponding to the positions of the pipes 3 and 4, but4 rotated a convenientY number of degrees on the vertical axis therefrom to prevent interference. A bubble cap I1 is placed with its edge resting on the bottom of member 5, and covering the projecting portion of pipe 2.l The edge of this cap is provided with slots I8 through which the ascending Vapor passes.

The base plate I extends radially a short distance beyond the outer edge of member 5 and welded to its outer edge is one section I2 of the casing, consisting of an outer cylindricalportion I3 and a top horizontal portion I4. This is shown as a deep drawn stamping, the metal being folded over at the corner between the portions I3 and I4, to form a fillet I5. The horizontal portion I4 is centrally bored to afford passage of the vapor pipe I0, but the hole is considerably larger than that pipe, an annular aperture I6 being thereby provided. It is also bored to aiord passage for the pipes II and I9 carrying the strong and weak liquors but is not welded to them, the holes however, closely tting the pipes.4

When in place, the plate I, together with the casing section I2, form the outer wall of a water channel 5I, completely surrounding the vessel formed by the member 5 and its cover 8, the wall of this vessel forming the inner wall. The description of the lowest section may be completed by noting that the pipes II and I9 are welded to the cover 8 at the point where they pass through it, the lower edge of pipe II being positioned somewhat below the upper edge of pipe 4, and the pipe I9 constituting a continuation of coil 1.

There has now been describedthe last or lowest section of the absorber. Each element in it is repeated in each other section from bottom to top; For example the next Section to the top, consists of a bottom member 5m, cover 8m, bubble cap I'Im, and casing section I2m, as its principal lmembers. The vertical pipe section I9l passes through the bottom or member 5m and is welded thereto in precisely the same manner as the pipe 3 in relation to member 5. Similarly .the vapor pipe |01 and strong -liquor pipe Ill pass through and are Welded to member 5m in the same way as are pipes 2 and 4 with respect to member 5. Finally the casing section I 2m is attached to the llet I5l in the same way in which section I2 is attached to the edge of base plate I. For the sake of clearness,l not all these relationships are shown for every section but all are shown in one oranother of the sections which are drawn.

The top section is different in certain respects from the other sections. The weak liquor pipe I9m, passing through the bottom of bottom member En, does not connect with a coil lying in the section as is the case with the other sections, but ends freely within the section. -There is of course no strong liquor pipe leading from a section above as is the case withthe other sections. The section is provided with a small pipe Inn, welded-into the cover In. used however Y course of the liquid is attained.

solely for purging. purposes, tovallow removallof insoluble gases in the, gas being absorbed. A- casing section |311, completing -the cylindrical portion of the casing `is welded to the iillet |5m A of the preceding-casing section and. to it is weldedv the head |4n of the casing. This head is bored for the passagethrough'it 'of the pipe Inn which is welded to it. It is' also provided with the water connection '3L It will be seen that the various coils 1 1m and their connecting portions, form a Acontinuous channel in close thermal contact with each section from bottom to top, in which the entering weak liquor is heated successively to the temperature of the top section or nearly so. Also,

'it will be seen that the cooling water, entering the waterchannel around the lowest section bythe pipe 20 passes successively about every section from bottom to top and is heated at each point, the temperature difference being however nowhere large. Absorption of the gas occurs at every point at a temperature not far removed from the equilibrium temperature for the reigning pressure and concentration. If necessary, as above noted, a portion of the cooling water may be led oi at an intermediate point to permit this relationship to be more exact, depending on whether it is desired to have the cooling water at a high temperature or not.

A simpler apparatus, but working according to the same principle, already described in the above cited application of which thisA is a continuation in part, is shown in Fig. 1. Here there is shown a vessel 2|, of any convenient dimensions, the upper portion of the interior being filled Withany suitable iinely divided substance 22 such as steel wool, this being for'the purposesof preventing convection and mixing of diierent concentrations of liquid as far as possible within the vessel. The substance 22 is supported by a horizontal porous plate 25 placed a short distance above the bottom. A pipe 23 passes within the vessel 2| just above the plate 25 and ascends within it as coil 24 to the top where it ends freely. A pipe 26 passes into the vessel 2| below the plate 25 ending in suitable nozzles 21. A pipe 28 carries the strong liquor out of the bottom of the apparatus. A coil of pipe 29 passing from bottom to top of the vessel carries cooling water.

Operation is similar in principle to thatalready described for the apparatus of Figs. 2-4.` Vapor is introduced into the vessel 2| bythe pipe 26 and is blown into the `liquid through nozzles 21. Weak liquid is introduced through pipe, 23, ascends to the top of the apparatus through coil 24, being heated on the way and reaches to top. practically at' the temperature of the hottest part of the apparatus. Hereit passes into the generalbodyof liquid and slowly passes downv ward, being cooled by the water in coil 29. Its

ability to take up the vapor is thereby increased andthe latter is absorbed to a higher and higher concentration as the liquid travels toward the ngnowfto the type of apparatus figured in Figs.v` vand 6, it wi'llbe noted to have characteristics'fpartaking of both the previous types in thaton the one hand the body of liquid is 'a single one .and on the other.. that-owing to the circuitouschannel's provided the absorbing liquid is cut.' up into sections, or morer'exactly, f orced to follow sucha long narrow channel, that the primary desideratum of ascending concentration and descending temperature along the Referring now to these figures, thereis shown a generally cylindrical vessel l40 not so long in proportion'to its diameter as is the case with the apparatus shown in Figs. 2-4. lIt is provided with a base plate in two portions, anvouter annular section 4|, and an inner circular section 42, of somewhat smaller outside diameter than the internal diameter of section 4|. There is therefore, when the two sections are in position, a narrow annular channel 43 between them. An annular cap piece 44 covers this channel43 and is bolted to sections 4| and 42, the joint being made water tight by suitable gaskets. It serves to position sections 4| and 42 in the same horizontal plane and also to afford a supply of water to channel 43. It is suitably provided with a pipe connection 45 for this purpose.

A stamped steel member 46 of the general shape of the frustum of a very iiat cone is placed with large base upward above base section 4|. 'I'he metal constituting the small edge of member 46 is turned downward to form a vertically disposed edge 41 of the same diameter as the internal diameter'of base section 4|. This edge is welded to the upper inner edge of base section 4|. 'I'he lower inner edge of a similar mem'- ber;48, which however, is somewhat smaller in both internal and external diameter is similarly welded to the upper edge of base section 42 in such manner that-when these base sections are in position members 46 and 46 constitute the lowest portion of a water channel 50, this portion being shaped generally as the frustum of a hat coneA extending from and continuing the channel 43 radially outward and upward. Before however, the member 46 is welded to section 4|, there is placed in position in the annular space between them a metal partition 49, ringlike in form, a lower inner edge being fastened to base plate 4| in any desired way as by spot member 48 and is provided with the annular Je? cessed portionv 55 for the reception of the lower edge of a partition or baiile 56a later to bedescribed. l j

'I'he parts now to be described constitute one entire section of the apparatus which is repeated as many times as may be desired in Aan identical manner until the top section is reached. AThis section a is above the bottom section, has above it section b and so on.

Av member 58a, generally conically shaped, of

the same external diameterasmember 48 but with the small end upward and extending much further towards the centre axis than does member 48 has its lower and external-edge turned downward while the upper edge 6 0 of member 48 is turned upward. These two edges are welded together, a small horizontal. iillet on each belng provided for convenience in so doing. A member Bla of the same external 'diameter as member 46 generally conically shaped and with small end upward and extending toward the centre nearly as far as member 58a has an external edge 62a turned down this edge meeting Cil the turned up upper edge 63 of member 46, to which it is welded. The channel 50 is thereby continued on an upward and inward conical path. The inner edge 64a of the member 58a is turned upward as is the inner edge 65a of the member Gla. After these members are placed in position, there is placed in position the partition 53a. This consists of an outer and lower cylindrical portion 66a and an inner conical portion 61a, downwardly concave. A recessed portion 11al is provided at their junction for the reception 'of the lower edge `of a similar partition 53D above. As before mentioned the lower edge of the portion 66a rests in the recessed portion 52 of member 49.

There is now placed in position the member 68a, generally conical, with large base upward having the turned down inner edge 69a, this edge being approximated to and -welded to the turned up inner edge 65a of member Gla. Similarly a member 1|a having a turned down inner edge 12a has this edge welded to the turned up inner edge 64a of member 58a. Finally the section is completed by the placing in position of the partition 56a which has an inner vertically cylindrical portion 14a, joined to a conical portion 15a with concavity upward, the lower edge of cylindrical portion 14a being placed in the recessed portion of partition 54 and having itself a recessed portion 16a for the reception of the lower edge of a similar partition 56h.

Just as the section a has the six members 58a, Gla, 53a, 68a, 1|a `and 56a so has the next section b above six similar members 581)-5611 similarly numbered. 'Ihe member 58h is welded to the member 1|a by their outer edges and the member 6| b is similarly welded to member 68a. The partition 53h is placed in position, its lower edge resting in the recessed portion 11d. of part'ltion 53a. Members 68h and 1lb are similarly welded to members.6|b and 58h respectively and the partition 56h is placed in position, its lower edge resting in the recess 16a.

Sections are continued upward in this manner to any number n. The construction of the top section follows. A member 88 generally conical and like member 58a except that it has no central orifice, has its edge 8| which is turned down, welded to the outer and upper edge 1311. of member 1|n. A member 82 generally similar to member Bla extends further toward the central axis and its inner and upper edge 83 is turned up further than is the case with member Sla. Its outer and lower edge 84 is welded'to the outer and upper edge 10u of member 6811.. A partition 85 entirely similar to'partition 53a except that the internal diameter is larger, is placed with its lower edge resting in the recessed portion of par'- tition 5311 and the inner structure of the absorber is in general completed.

There is now welded to the outer edge of base section 4| a cylindrical outer shell 86. This shell is suitably anged at the top to facilitate the securing to it of the top plate 81 here shown as welded. The central portion of plate 81 is somewhat depressed, and is centrallybored with `a hole 88 of such size and so positioned that the top edge 83 of member 82 projects through and this edge is thereupon welded to the top inner edge ofy hole 88. A flanged pipe connection 89 is fastened to top plate 81 covering hole 88.

It will now be seen that there has been constructed a continuous water channel 50 the ra- -dial section of which zigzags upward and radially in and out from bottom-to top. We have moreover an outer annular channel 9|| formed by the shell 86 as outer wall and the member 49 and the various sections 6611-6611 and the partition as inner wall. This communicates 4at the top of the apparatus with a channel 9| formed by the outer Walls of channel 50 and bythe partitions 53m-531A its section being also generally zigzag radially and downward. Similarly we have on the central side of channel 50 a cylindrical channel 92 corresponding to channel 90 leading upward and communicating with the channel 93 which zigzag's radially downward.

The base section 4| is provided near its external edge with pipe connection 91, communicating with channel and the base section 42 is similarly provided with a pipe connection 94 near its centre communicating with channel 92. Base section 4| is also provided with two pipe connections opening into channel 9|, one of comparatively large size, 95, for entering vapor, the second 96 for carrying away strong liquor. Base section 42 is also provided with two pipe connections communicating with channel 93, the larger 98 supplying vapor and the smaller 99 carrying away strong liquor. Twp small pipes |00 and |0| are provided for purging of any incondensible gases the rst connected into the channel 92 and passing to the top Aof thisv channel and the second connected into the top plate 81 and thereby communicating with the tops of channels 90 and 9|.

Operation of this apparatus is in principle precisely the same as that of the other two types. Weak liquor ascends in each of the channels 90 and 92, and is heated. At the top o f these channels it passes into channels 9| and 93 where it commences to descend. In these channels it meets an ascending current of vapor coming from the vapor pipes and 98 delivering vapor into these channels.' Owing to the form of these channels the vapor tends to spread in sheets on the under surface of each conical wall or partition limiting the space flowing upward and in countercurrent to the liquid flowing downward below it. A very good contact is thereby attained and good absorption capacities are in consequence possible.

It will be seen that I have described a method of gas absorption of high efficiency and economy particularly to be sure for use inthe system of heat distribution for which it was especially designedA but having also numerous applications in various chemical processes and in refrigerating systems of the absorption type. Furthermore convenient Vand adequate apparatus" for carrying out the method of absorption herein described have been described both as to construction ar.

as to operation.

Furthermore, it is to-be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth, are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be made without departing from my invention-as defined in the appended claims. i

What I claim is:`

1. The method of absorption of a gas in a solvent for said gas said solvent having a boiling point higher than that of the gas at substantially unchanging pressure except for hydrostatic differences, .which comprises bringing said solvent to a relatively high `temperature out of contact with said gas, causing -absorption of said gas in said solvent to a proportion determined by such high temperature, removing the heat developed by said absorption at such high temperature by a cooling agent at a small temperature diierence below such high temperature, further cooling said solvent to a lower temperature, further absorbing said gas to a concentration determined by such lower temperature, further removing the heat developed by such further absorption to a cooling agent at a new lower temperature and continuing said cooling of solvent, additional aba comparatively high temperature out 4sox'ption of gas and removal of heat by a cooling 3. In an apparatus for the absorption'of a gas I in a solventhaving a boiling point higher than that of the gas, means for heating the solvent to a high temperature out of contact with saidv gas, means for contactingsaid. solvent at such high temperaturewith a portion ofl said gas, means for removing heat from said solvent whereby said solvent isfbrought to a-lower temperature,v means for contacting-the cooled solvent with a further portion of said gas at said lower temperature an means for further cooling said solvent. l

4. In an"apparatusfor carrying out a reaction between a gas and a liquid. a partition with a lower surface, said partition forming also one surface of a heat'ow conduit for causing heat flow to occur across said partition, said lower surface being nearly horizontal and possessing a lower and an upper edge, and being.immersed in said liquid, means for conducting said gas to a location beneath said surface and within said liquid,

" whereby said gas is caused to flow with relative slowness under said surface and inicontact with said liquid from a lower point to a higher point vgasfrom said upper part of said apparatus,

within said apparatus, means for collecting said gas at such' higher point, and means for causing heat ow to occur across said partition. v

5. In an apparatus for carrying out a reaction 'between agas anda liquid, Aa conical partition so disposed that the axis of the cone is substantially vertical; the angle of-said cone at the vertex appreaching two right angles, said partition being immersed as regards its lower surface in said liquid, said partition forming also one surfacey of a -heat flow conduit vfor causing heat ow to occur across said partition, said lower surfacegcompris. ing a frustum of saidfcone, means for introducing said gas within said liquid at a location adjacent to the lower edge of saidilower surface, vwhereby said gas is caused to ow with relative slowness along elements of said surface from lower to higher points within said apparatus, under said surface and i'n contact with said liquid, means for collecting said gas at such higher points,andv

means for causing heat flow to occur across said partition.

6. In an apparatus for carrying vout a reaction between a gas and a liquid, a partition consisting of a plurality of relatively fiat coaxial conical surl faces, so placed as'to be alternately concave upward and downward, coaxial conical baffles with concavities directed downward, one such `baille A'being placed directly above each downwardly concave portion of said partition, said bailies and the outwardly directed surface of such partition being immersed in said liquid, vmeans for introducing said gas at a low point in such apparatus and, below one of said upwardly concave surfaces of said partition whereby it is caused to pursue 'a course first beneath said upwardly concave .surface radially outward and upward, then beneath a conical baille radially inwards and upward and so, alternately beneath conical surfaces of said partitionand said conical baiiles until .an upper part of said apparatus is reached, meansfor,l collecting said and across said partition.

means for causing heat iow 1 STERNE MOR SE. 

